Recording by MIRAJ, ©Geela Rayzel Raphael 1993
Welcome to our sukkahLit. hut or booth A temporary hut constructed outdoors for use during Sukkot, the autumn harvest festival. Many Jews observe the mitzvah of living in the Sukkah for the week of Sukkot, including taking their meals and sleeping in the Sukkah., come and be our guest
You’ll eat, drink, and study, sit enjoy your rest.
Chorus: Ti-vu Ti-vu UshpizinLit. Guests (Aramaic) Biblical "guests" invited into the sukkah on each of the seven nights of the holiday. While the traditional ushpizin were all male, a new custom has been created, inviting female guests (ushpizot) as well. The seven ushpizin are Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron, and David. The seven female ushpizot are Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Leah, Miriam, Abigail, and Esther. ee-lah-een
Ti-vu Ti-vu Ushpizin Ka-di-shin.
Welcome Father AvrahamAbraham is the first patriarch and the father of the Jewish people. He is the husband of Sarah and the father of Isaac and Ishmael. God's covenant - that we will be a great people and inherit the land of Israel - begins with Abraham and is marked by his circumcision, the first in Jewish history. His Hebrew name is Avraham., G-d put you to the test
Bring your faith and hesedLit. Kindness It is said in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers)Â that the world stands on three things: Torah (learning), Avodah (worship), and Gemilut Hasidim (acts of kindness)., join us as we bless.
Welcome, Mother SarahThe first matriarch, wife of Abraham, and mother of Isaac, whom she birthed at the age of 90. Sarah, in Rabbinic tradition, is considered holy, beautiful, and hospitable. Many prayers, particularly the Amidah (the central silent prayer), refer to God as Magen Avraham – protector of Abraham. Many Jews now add: pokehd or ezrat Sarah – guardian or helper of Sarah., Let your laughter ring
Bring your wisdom and your light, join us as we sing.
Welcome Father Yitzhak, in the afternoon you prayed
Bring a meditation, join us here today.
Welcome, Mother Rivkah, we’ve heard your voice so clear
Come and bring your oracles, come and join our cheer.
Welcome, Father Yaakov, you wrestled through the night
Come and bring your vision, help us getA writ of divorce. Traditionally, only a man can grant his wife a get. Liberal Jews have amended this tradition, making divorce more egalitarian. this right.
Welcome Mother RachelLavan's younger daughter and Jacob's beloved wife second wife (after he is initially tricked into marrying her older sister, Leah). Rachel grieves throughout her life that she is barren while Leah is so fertile. Ultimately, Rachel gives birth to Joseph and dies in childbirth with Benjamin. Rachel is remembered as compassionate (she is said to still weep for her children), and infertile women often invoke Rachel as a kind of intercessor and visit her tomb on the road to Bethlehem., you weep on our behalf
Come and bring us mandrakes, come and join our laugh.
Welcome Mother LeahThe third of the Jewish matriarchs, Lead is the eldest of Lavan's daughters and one of the wives of Jacob. She is the daughter whom Lavan tricks Jacob into marrying instead of his younger daughter Rachel, whom Jacob has requested to marry. Leah is mother to six of the the twelve tribes and to one daughter, Dinah., seven kids born to you,
Come and bring fertility, help us to renew.
Welcome Brother Yosef, a colored coat you wore
Come and bring us happy dreams, sit with us some more.
Welcome Sister Tamar, a widows clothes you wore
But come and bring your cleverness, we’ll greet you at the door.
Welcome holy MosesThe quintessential Jewish leader who spoke face to face with God, unlike any other prophet, and who freed the people from Egypt, led them through the desert for forty years, and received the Torah on Mt. Sinai. His Hebrew name is Moshe., you met G-d face to face
Come and bring your leadership, we’ve saved you a place.
Welcome Sister MiriamMiriam is the sister of Moses and Aaron. As Moses' and Aaron's sister she, according to midrash, prophesies Moses' role and helps secure it by watching over the young baby, seeing to it that Pharaoh's daughter takes him and that the baby is returned to his mother for nursing. During the Israelites' trek through the desert, a magical well given on her behalf travels with the Israelites, providing water, healing, and sustenance., you danced across the sea
Come bring your tof and timbrel, dance to set us free.
Welcome Brother AaronBrother of Moses, chosen as Moses' interlocutor. His Hebrew name is Aharon., our glorious High Priest
Come and bring us holiness, come and join our feast.
Welcome brave Devorah, you battled brave and strong
Come and bring your torches, join us in our song.
Welcome Queen Batsheva, found your beloved true
Mother of King Shlomo, his wisdom came through you.
Welcome Melekh David, you danced a mighty dance;
It’s time for the Mashiach, it’s time we had the chance.
Welcome Grandmother RuthAn important female biblical character with her own book. The Book of Ruth, read on Shavuot, tells the story of Ruth’s devotion to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and their return to Israel. Ruth’s story is often read as the first story of conversion. Ruth is the grandmother of King David., you chose to be a Jew,
Come and bring your loyalty, bring Naomi too.
Welcome Melekh David, you wrote many psalms
Come and bring your etrogA lemon-like fruit (citron) used at Sukkot as one of the four species. Women desiring to get pregnant were given the pitom (stem) to eat after Sukkot., myrtle, willow, and palms.
